Man dies after getting 'crazy' cancer from killer tapeworm living INSIDE him

"Crazy" tumours which were NOT HUMAN were discovered growing in the victim's major organs.

And the bizarre "worm cancer" developed rapidly in the 41-year-old, an HIV sufferer with a weak immune system.

Docs say it is the first time a human has died as a result of cancer cells from a parasite.

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CRAZY: The victim's tumours had high levels of tapeworm DNA

The unnamed patient, from Colombia, was initially found to have "normal" tumours in his liver and lungs when he was diagnosed in 2013.

But scientists were stunned to find the tiny cancer cells - just a tenth of the size of human cells - had high levels of tapeworm DNA.

The man died three days after the shock discovery.

Now the incredibly rare case has been published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.

“We were amazed when we found this new type of disease￼”

Dr Atis Muehlenbachs

It was diagnosed through a partnership between the Natural History Museum in London and the US Centers for Disease Control.

And scientists reacted with "complete disbelief".

Researcher and pathologist Dr Atis Muehlenbachs said: "We were amazed when we found this new type of disease￼ — tapeworms growing inside a person, essentially getting cancer, that spreads to the person, causing tumors."

The tapeworm, known as H.nana, is the most common found in humans and can infect up to 75MILLION people worldwide.

Researchers believe worm-cancer is rare - but say some cases could be going undiganosed.

Rigourous hygeine including washing your hands is said to be the best way to prevent infection.

Researchers are not sure how to fight further cases of "worm cancer" - although it is possible human treatments such as chemotherapy could work.